Mr. Mean (1977) User Reviews

The Hammer hits a good one out on his own

[fs3 · 5/10 · 18 November 2000]

In the mid-70's, Fred Williamson began his own productions away from the big and mini-major studios that had been home to his best (and worst) films. After the Jesse Crowder duo and the really bad Mean Johnny Barrows, this one had a nice feel, good music, lots of smart and tough lines, and good action. Can it be stilted and rough-around-the-edges at times? Of course, but overall it's one of the better Hammers from his company and maybe the best of his directorial stuff.

I've been hired to kill you. I now know my method. Ciao.

[mark.waltz · 5/10 · 25 January 2024]

A low budget action thriller that didn't quite make Fred Williamson the Orson Welles of blaxploitation. He's a hit man assigned to kill a mobster whose cruelty to impoverished Africans has made him an embarrassment to the organization, one that thrives on good publicity that is a book cover over the prostitution, graft, drug running and other rackets. In this case, it's evidenced in some pretty repulsive pictures where charity money was not used for its purpose.

Lots of action scenes covered over by a bouncy music score, and some pretty graphic acts of violence from both Williamson and those he encounters from an unknown assassin out to kill him. Williamson has a gorgeous Italian love interest (Crippy Yocard) who unfortunately doesn't have the passion of a Loren, Lollibrigida or Magnani, but they get some glorious love scenes. Great shots of Rome also helps.

He nearly shows all wearing nothing but a black pair of briefs. Just okay, but there is an extremely amusing twist involving the hit against Williamson and how it all plays out. Mean, by the way, is simply his last name, and as he says doesn't describe his character, so it's impossible not to like him just the way he is. As star, screenwriter, producer and director, he is admirable but overall, pretty standard.

Disappointing

[DrSatan · 1/10 · 7 January 2002]

One would think that a Fred Williamson star vehicle, with Fred having the director's chair and the Ohio Players on the soundtrack would be a highly entertaining film. One would be wrong. This film is cluttered, boring, incredibly poorly acted. The villain is one of the least menacing I've ever seen-he's basically a pudgy shmuck. The only redeeming scene in the whole film involes Fred's giant medallion saving his life.

Poorly Written and Edited

[Uriah43 · 3/10 · 11 April 2022]

This film begins in Los Angeles with a notorious gangster by the name of "Mr. Mean" (Fred Williamson) being hired to kill a powerful man named "Huberto" (Lou Castel) who has recently become involved in some unsavory business enterprises which have embarrassed the leading crime families in Rome. The problem is that Huberto just happens to be the leader of one of these crime families and in order to prevent a possible war the decision was made to bring in an outsider like Mr. Mean to avoid suspicion. Unfortunately, Huberto soon becomes aware of the contract and hires an equally notorious assassin named "Rommell" (Raymond Harmstorf) to kill Mr. Mean first. Now, rather than reveal any more, I will just say that this was clearly not one of Fred Williamson's better films as it was both poorly written and edited. It also seemed to have a rather hurried aspect to it as well. To its credit, it does pick up a bit during the last 15 minutes or so and also has a surprising twist at the end which helps to a certain degree. Likewise, having an attractive actress like Crippy Yocard (as "Rene") certainly didn't hurt either. Sadly, none of these things could overcome the faults mentioned earlier and I have rated this movie accordingly. Below average.

Weak sauce

[Leofwine_draca · 3/10 · 28 September 2021]

A weak sauce vehicle for Fred William, here taking the lead as well as writing and directing. Apparently he shot it in between making bigger budget movies and the lack of money and time shows. This plays out as an indie drama with Williamson as a former cop and gangster now working as a hitman. Very low rent plotting here with a couple of long-winded chase sequences making up the bulk of the acting. Williamson's character is so big-headed it's unreal and attempts to make him "cool" fall down flat.

James Bond meets ghetto - very funny

[tnlamonica · 1 July 2002]

I rented this movie many years ago and since then I have told many people about this movie because it is SOOOO funny. I try to take into consideration that this movie was made in the 1970's and probably had a budget of $1000.00 but still. There are so many mistakes, tacky scenes, and just plain bad scenes that you should rent it just for a laugh. It's kind of like James Bond meets ghetto. Rent this movie at least once for a good laugh.